Storm, wind warnings in effect for many areas of province

There’s potential for significant snowfall today for eastern Newfoundland and tonight for northern Newfoundland, according to Environment Canada.

Most coastal communities can expect less snowfall as the precipitation is likely to mix with or change to rain or ice pellets at some point.

Meantime, winds gusting to 150 km/h will continue in the Wreckhouse area today.

Heavy snow with accumulations of 20 to 30 centimetres, combined with blowing snow and strong easterly winds, will develop today and continue tonight for central and eastern areas of the province.

A low pressure system over Nova Scotia will track northeastward today to lie near Cape Breton by this evening. The low will then track across eastern Newfoundland tonight before moving to lie northeast of the province on Saturday.

Heavy snow and strong easterly winds over southwestern Newfoundland will spread northeastward today. The snow will change to rain across southern and eastern areas later today. Most areas across northeastern, central, and western Newfoundland will receive between 20 and 30 centimetres of snow with this system.

Strong easterly winds will accompany this system with gusts reaching 100 km/h along parts of the west and south coasts and gusts to 150 km/h in the Wreckhouse area. These winds will cause reduced visibilities in blowing snow over most areas.

Across the Northern Peninsula, the snow will begin late this afternoon and persist into Saturday. Southeastern sections are expected to see the most snowfall and a winter storm warning is continued. Lesser amounts are expected on the western side of the Northern Peninsula and in the vicinity of St. Anthony.

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(Earlier story by The Canadian Press)

HALIFAX — A winter storm that blasted much of Eastern Canada moved into Newfoundland on Friday.

Environment Canada said the northeast coast and central parts of the island would see the highest accumulation of snow — anywhere between 15 and 25 centimetres.

The forecast also called for wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres an hour along the province’s south coast.

The weather prompted Air Canada to advise travellers to expect delays and cancellations of flights to or from St. John’s International Airport.

That also forced a handful of flight delays at other airports in the region including Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

High winds and rough seas in the Cabot Strait also forced Marine Atlantic to tie up its vessels. No daytime crossings to Nova Scotia were scheduled, although the ferry service was expected to resume with late sailings on Friday.

Meanwhile, rain and some freezing rain was forecast for areas of New Brunswick that were hit with up to 20 centimetres of snow on Thursday.

The region was expected to get a brief respite on Saturday before another storm was expected to push through on Sunday.

Environment Canada meteorologist Linda Libby said forecasters had their eye on a low pressure system building off the eastern coast of the U.S.

“It’s going to be a large scale and significant storm,” said Libby.

She said early indications pointed to strong winds and snow for most of mainland Nova Scotia. The storm would also affect eastern portions of New Brunswick as well as Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Libby said the system could bring anywhere from 15 to 25 centimetres of wet, heavy snow depending upon the temperatures.

“If the track adjusts a little bit further to the north then warmer air could come in and we could see at least a portion of the precipitation changing to rain,” she said.